Allocation

The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund is a critical dedicated funding source for recreation and conservation projects, libraries, and historical preservation initiatives. The Keystone Fund enabling act requires that 15% of the state’s realty transfer tax receipts be put into the Keystone Fund for distribution by the following state agencies:

State Agency

%

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)

65%

Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC)

13%

Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)

4%

State System of Higher Education (SSHE)

18%

DCNR Funding

The funding allocated to DCNR is divided by law for the following uses:

30% (of the 15% of the realty tax) goes to both the Bureau of State Parks and Bureau of Forestry, primarily to rehabilitate and upgrade state park and forestry infrastructure. However, up to 10% of this amount may be directed towards rails-to-trails projects, and up to 10% may also be directed towards rivers protection and conservation projects

25% is provided as grants for local recreation initiatives, such as ballparks and playgrounds

No less that 10% is to be provided to land trusts for natural areas and open space planning and acquisition

The funding is managed by two DCNR bureaus: the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (which allocates money for local recreation, rail-trails, and land trust projects) and the Bureau of Facility Design and Construction (which manages the funds used for parks and forestry improvements).

PHMC Funding

Approximately 20-25% of the Keystone Fund money that PHMC receives is distributed in the form of grants. The remaining funds are used internally to maintain and repair museums and sites owned and operated by the state. Funding is allocated for preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration projects.

PDE Funding

Library funding is distributed by PDE through a competitive grant process. Grants are available to public libraries and municipalities for structural improvements, accessibility projects, and new construction or renovation projects. There are two types of grants: major grants for projects requesting more than $75,000, and mini grants for projects of $75,000 or less.

SSHE Funding

The Keystone Fund money that SSHE distributes to the 14 state-owned universities is not in the form of grants. The money is provided based on a formula set by the Board of Regents which takes into account enrollment, number of buildings, total amount of deferred maintenance at each campus, and more. The 14 universities are the only recipients of this money.